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Steam Next Fest is an entire virtual gaming event that offers thousands of upcoming game demos to players so they can choose their next favorite game. The best part is that this event offers these demos for free. Once again, this virtual door has opened and offered gamers its bucket full of demos from upcoming indie titles. This overwhelming number can confuse anyone, and this confusion will most likely lead players to choose the worst demos. Below is a list to guide them with the best indie demos that one shouldn’t miss.
This is one of the finest choices of Steam indie demos that one must not miss. Not only does the name sound exciting, but the gameplay is also impressive. Into the Restless Ruins is a roguelike deck-builder with a unique twist that allows players to design dungeon layouts during the day and explore them at night. Using the examples from Scottish myths, this game offers a blend of puzzle-solving and action elements, which challenge players to balance strategic planning with real-time exploration.
The Talos Principle: Reawakened already says that it's a sequel or a remaster. Well, it's a remastered version of the critically acclaimed 2014-released puzzle game, The Talos Principle. As a remastered version, this game presents visually appealing gameplay with the addition of new features. The demo shows that the upcoming game will present enhanced content with a new puzzle editor. Therefore, this is one of those demos that one must dive into before Steam Next Fest 2025 ends.
For players who are looking forward to experiencing the best indie game demos, Promise Mascot Agency is one of the most suitable choices. This is an indie simulation game where players will be tasked with running a mascot agency that used to be run by a disgraced yakuza. The main objective is to revitalize a derelict town. The game combines management elements with humorous scenarios, offering a unique experience that stands out among indie titles.
With its retro visuals and auto-battler combat, He is Coming is one of those games that will fill players with nostalgia. Therefore, this is one of those demos that deserves a try in the Steam Next Fest, especially for indie game fans. This retro-style roguelite RPG immerses players in a 2D world filled with exploration, item discovery, and monster battles. The gameplay is simple but still extremely exciting, which encourages players to experiment with different builds while balancing different attributes like armor, health, and speed to survive and face formidable bosses.
If one is looking for some of the best indie games coming this year, Shotgun Cop Man is going to be among them. As one of the 2D platformers with a straightforward premise, this game allows players to become the Shotgun Cop Man, who is tasked with arresting Satan in hell. All the levels of the game include a perfect combination of sliding down diagonal slopes and bouncing up between ledges. The best part is that the game allows gamers to use weapons as movement tools and also for combat.
The next demo that one shouldn’t skip is Skin Deep. This game combines elements from games like Prey and Alien: Isolation to create an immersive sim where players act as insurance workers on a spaceship, where the crew looks like cat-head characters. This game offers deep stealth mechanics and different ways to tackle situations, including flushing enemies down toilets and using unconventional weapons like black pepper.
The next indie demo that one should try is The King is Watching. This indie game demo presents a unique blend of city builder and roguelike mechanisms to challenge players to construct resource-generating buildings on a grid-based city. That’s not everything; there’s a twist, and it lies in the fact that they have to manage lazy subjects who only work when they are supervised. Therefore, the game requires proper strategies to increase productivity.
One indie demo that has created a sensation in Steam Next Fest is Monster Train 2. The name itself says that it is a sequel to its 2020-released predecessor, Monster Train. However, the demo shows that the upcoming sequel is built upon its predecessor and introduces new clans and cards to offer a fresh take on the deckbuilding genre. This is another demo that shouldn’t be missed at any cost.
The next demo that one must try at least once at the event is Labyrinth of the Demon King. This game has taken inspiration from iconic titles like King's Field and Silent Hill to make an engaging gameplay experience, where players navigate a labyrinth filled with demons, engaging in slow, methodical combat while managing resources to survive the treacherous environment.
This is the final entry, and one must try an indie game demo that players shouldn’t miss. This game is once again a sequel that expands upon its predecessor and offers a larger world set in the Demon Realm. The game offers Metroidvania gameplay that allows players to explore expansive environments, encounter various characters, and utilize a diverse set of abilities.
These are more or less top indie game demos that one must try during Steam Next Fest 2025. Though these represent not even 1% of the entire bucket that Steam is offering, before the event ends, don’t forget to try them at least once.
